Chris’s Teletech/ Telstra officemates reached out to me. They were planning to hold a mass for him and a salo-salo after. That night I couldn’t believe how many people came to pay respects to Chris!!! I went outside and was surprised to see the entire floor was jam packed! I wanted to cry really but I was too busy saying thank you to everyone I didn’t have time to… it was like I was in a club except there was no alcohol, just coffee and juice 🙂
It was a celebration of Chris’s life! Each one had a story to tell. They were telling me how Chris made time for them, helped them, smiled at them and coached them (not only about work but also with personal problems as well).
I saw how well loved my husband was! He was a great leader, mentor, and friend. Everyone had nice things to say. It seemed that they knew me and Mateo so well. It was because Chris always talked about us, his family, to them. Sweetheart was proud of us. We were his priority.
One of the HR managers told me how overwhelmed she was when they counted the abuloy money for Chris. Everyone did not hesitate to help. “That’s how well loved your husband was,” she said. I wanted to cry. Right there I discovered why Chris lasted 10 years in Teletech, he loved the people around him.
Chris devoted a lot of his time working. The past few months I observed he was always tired. I’d tell him to rest and skip work for the day but he insists to go because his team needed him. On weekends he had a shift, Mateo will ask, “Mommy, is daddy in the office again?” I answer, “Yes bubba. That’s how hard your dad works for us. So we can live a comfortable life.” Mateo suggests we surprise his dad with a note written on his blackboard. He told me to write, “Thank you daddy for working hard for us. We love you!” Chris hugs and kisses us after reading it (so we do it all the time hehe).
What I really miss? My welcome home salubong to him every time he comes home from work. I make sure whatever I was doing, when I hear the beep beep or the gate opening to signal that he’s home, I drop everything, open the door for him and welcome him with a big hug and kiss.
I wanted him to feel we missed him and we’re happy he’s home (really we were). I’m sure he had his best welcome home ever… when Jesus opened the gates of heaven for him, hugged and kissed him ♥♥
He started biking to and from work a year before his accident. No, not everyday. But due to heavy traffic, his once a week became twice, thrice, four times. He wanted to come home early to be with us. He felt that he was saving precious hours biking than bringing a car. As I shared from my previous post, my dad always reminded us how dangerous it was. But he loved biking.
He was shooting two birds with one stone—he enjoyed biking + he can go home earlier vs being stuck in traffic inside a car. Seeing how happy he was fixing his bike, researching, buying new parts, cleaning his bike with Mateo. So I let him bike to work. He chose to bike that day. Nope, there are no accidents.
Few days before the accident. The last time Mateo helped clean his dad’s bike.
Every visitor during the wake would ask me how Mateo was doing. I’d say he’s doing good because he really was! Although he knows that his dad is already gone, he can still see him (lying in a coffin) plus he had so many playmates that kept him happy.
Many would bring him toys and he’d be ecstatic! My son is a very playful boy but it didn’t mean he wasn’t absorbing everything that was happening.
Even Mateo’s best friend visited him 🙂
Whenever I’d tear up while talking to someone, he’d stop playing and run to me, “Mommy are you crying?” So sensitive my little bubba. He was my ray of sunshine, one time I had to say thank you to everyone who attended the wake right after the mass. He was making funny faces and pointing at his daddy, “Mommy, daddy’s riding the best bike ever… he’s so daya talaga, he’s already with Jesus!” He comforts me and makes me feel at peace that he is going to be alright. Thank you Lord!
For the last night of the wake, it was my barkada’s turn.
From the time they learned about the accident, they cried with me, reached out to me, helped me with groceries, food, playing with Mateo, entertaining guests, and more. They made sure I get to eat and were concerned about my health. What will I do without them? God has blessed me with friends that are for keeps. They are my family.
One by one they said their goodbye messages to Chris. We’ve been through a lot together—dinners, parties, engagements, weddings, baptisms, outings, birthdays, and now, for the first time… death. It was an emotional one but it was also not without laughter. Oh Chris, I know how much you enjoyed listening to their stories that night. We will miss you terribly! Really, it won’t be the same without you.
As the night ended and no one was left behind…
I stood beside my husband’s coffin. Our last night together!
I was memorizing every bit of his face. I wanted to open the casket but I couldn’t do it myself. Besides, I might flip it over, ack! I couldn’t believe… LAST. NIGHT.EVER. I was praying, “Lord, tomorrow, we will really part ways. He will be buried under the ground. No more sweetheart. But Lord, once again, this man, I give him back to you! Thank you for the years you allowed me to be with him. I do not deserve a husband like him but you blessed me with more than I prayed for! He is yours…”
“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:31
mommy&bubba 